Conferences, Storytelling, and Turning Technology Friction into Impact

Kicking Off the Year: Conferences, Storytelling, and Turning Technology Friction into Impact

The first quarter of the year is shaping up to be a busy one, and I’m kicking it off, sharing ideas, learning from others, and having honest conversations about data, technology, and the realities of modern business.

Tomorrow, I’m heading to Copenhagen for my first conference (and talk) of the year, and it feels like the perfect place to start.

Back to Copenhagen for Saturday Danish Data

This week marks the second time I’ve spoken at Danish Saturday dataand this was a conference that I really enjoyed. Data Saturday events consistently attract a wide range of practitioners, leaders and community voices, including Denmark.

Last year, I had the pleasure of speaking with David, and this year we’re back with a new session:

Bridging the Gap: Turning Technology Friction into Startup Success

This conversation grew directly from life experience. Over the past year, I have been actively involved in technology startups, navigate the realities that lie in between great ideas And real world results. Additionally, through my role as a Microsoft MVP, I have had numerous conversations with early-stage and large-scale businesses — many of which are part of the Microsoft Start up Hub.

What’s become clear is that most startups don’t fail because they lack technology. They fight because of friction:

• unclear ownership
• misaligned expectations
• data exists but does not inform decisions
• tools are implemented before the problem is fully understood

Our session in Copenhagen was about surfacing that friction and showing how teams can turn it into momentum, not resistance. It’s practical, honest, and based on real examples—not a glossy slide deck.

If you’re attending Data Saturday Denmark this Saturday, come and say hello. These events are always better for the conversations that occur between sessions.

New Conversations in 2026: Data-Driven Storytelling with Power BI

Immediately after Copenhagen, my focus shifted to a new session that I really enjoyed.

On February 7I will keep talking Tenerife Winter Session 2026 with a lecture entitled:

Data-Driven Storytelling with Power BI

This is a new session for me, and it reflects how my thinking around dashboards and reporting has evolved over the past few years.

The core idea is simple: data only creates value when it drives understanding and action.

In this session, I will cover topics such as:

• identify your audience’s real needs
• define Actually business issues (not just reporting requests)
• choose visuals that communicate goals, not just metrics
• structure reports with a clear beginning, middle, and end
• design dashboards that lead people to decision making, not confusion

Although the Tenerife Winter Sessions sound like a great in-person event, they are actually held online. (I’m going to miss the sunshine this time), this particular session was on lineso you can join from wherever you are.

Taking the Message of Storytelling on the Road

The Data-Driven Storytelling with Power BI conversation doesn’t stop there.

In March, I will deliver the same session live at Birmingham Power BI User Groupon Wednesday 4 March. User groups are where the best discussions happen, they’re practical, opinionated, and grounded in everyday work, so I’m really looking forward to bringing this topic into that environment.

And then go to the US.

Chicago and a Personal Favorite: Moneyball with Power BI

Later in March, I will go there Chicagowhere I will deliver one of my most popular — and most enjoyable — talks:

Moneyball – Build a Killer Fantasy Football Team with Power BI

This session combines analysis, storytelling and a little fun, using Fantasy Football as a way to explore how data can challenge assumptions, uncover value and support better decision making. This is a constant reminder that analysis doesn’t have to be dry to be powerful.

Looking ahead

All this means Q1 is already looking full, and Q2 will be just as busy. There are more conferences, events, and sessions underway, and I’ll share more details once they’re confirmed.

For now, if you:

• Attending Data Saturday Denmark this weekend
• Join the Tenerife Winter Session online
• Based around Birmingham in early March
• Or heading to an event in Chicago

…it would be fun to connect, chat, and compare notes.

It’s a great start to the year, and turns technology, data and stories into something that really makes a difference.

Say hello: If you’re at Data Saturday Denmark this Saturday, come and find me, I’m always ready to chat about startups, Power BI and making data useful.